Our Georgia readers may have seen a previous post here that discussed the merits of mandatory helmet laws and whether or not they play a significant role in reducing the number of fatalities or severe injuries that motorcyclists suffer when they are involved in accidents. As that post noted, that debate has been ongoing and intense, and it isn’t likely to go away any time soon. But, a recent article did bring up a few so-called “myths” regarding motorcycle safety that may surprise some of our readers — both motorcyclists and regular motorists.
The first “myths” pertained to safety clothing — leather and full-face helmets. The article mentioned that some people believe that motorcyclists only wear leather because it looks “cool.” But, the fact is that leather can protect against scrapping during a collision. As for full-face helmets, the article mentioned that some people believe that these types of helmets may restrict visibility for a motorcyclist. But, if such a helmet is approved by the Department of Transportation, it must include a large 210-degree area for peripheral vision.
Another “myth” is one that has been discussed here before — how visible a motorcycle is to other drivers. Some people believe that motorists will easily see a motorcycle, but that, as mentioned previously here, isn’t the case. In order to avoid a motorcycle accident many riders will wear reflective clothing or position themselves in a highly-visible area of the road that is devoid of blind spots.
Of course, enhancing visibility and wearing the appropriate safety clothing aren’t always enough to avoid a motorcycle collision. Motorcyclists who are injured in an accident that is caused by another driver’s negligence may be able to pursue a personal injury claim.
Source: Huffington Post, “7 Myths About Motorcycle Safety That Need To Go Away,” May 2, 2016